The Pfeiffer University Concert Choir and The Stanly County Chorale will present the ever-popular Christmas portion of George F. Handel's "Messiah Part I" at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22 in the Henry Pfeiffer Chapel on Pfeiffer's Misenheimer campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Of all the proclaimed works of music tied to Christmas, perhaps none is spoken of more reverently than Handel's "Messiah." It has become one of the most renowned pieces of English sacred music.

The choir and the Stanly County Chorale, soloists and orchestra, under the direction of Joseph Judge (pictured above), assistant professor of music and director of choral and vocal activities at Pfeiffer, will perform Part I which tells the Christmas story through Handel's inspiring music. The program will open with Handel's Organ Concerto No. 1 in F major from the second set. Stanley R. Scheer, former head of organ at Pfeiffer and widely respected and recognized across the country for his expertise in organ design and church music, will be the featured organist. 

A mixed ensemble of 40 voices, Pfeiffer's concert choir makes an annual American tour and has made several highly successful concert tours to Europe. The choir diligently prepares and performs a wide-variety of quality sacred and secular choral repertoire.

An earlier performance of the concert with the Stanly County Chorale, under the direction of Steve Harrill, assistant professor of music at Pfeiffer, will be presented at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle, 126 W. North St. The event is open to the public.

For additional information, please contact Joseph Judge at (704) 463-3148 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

Established in 1885, Pfeiffer University is a comprehensive United Methodist-related university, with multiple campuses, including Misenheimer, Charlotte and the Triangle, committed to educational excellence, service and scholarship. Visit Pfeiffer online at www.pfeiffer.edu.

Media contact: Natasha A. Suber, (704) 463-3040 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .